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VOL. 10, ISSUE 10 (2025)
Predatory behavior and life history of the big-eyed bug Geocoris ochropterus (Hemiptera: Geocoridae) in Mango inflorescences: Insights from laboratory observations
Authors
Samira A Abd El Salam, Hanaa M Raghib, Ahmed Ramadan El Rokh
Abstract
Lepidoptera pests are a recurring problem for
mango trees, since they can seriously harm the inflorescences, hence
compromising fruit quality and yield. The big-eyed bug Geocoris ochropterus
(Hemiptera: Geocoridae) is a polyphagous predator of many insect pests
on various crops and fruit trees. The predatory behavior and life history
parameters of G. ochropterus, a predator bug found in mango inflorescences,
were investigated. The focus was on its feeding habits,
specifically targeting two common lepidoptera pests, Cryptoblabes
gnidiella and Ephestia cautella, for the first time. The
bugs were reared in a controlled laboratory environment at 30±2 0C
and 70±5% RH, and life history parameters were quantified through life tables.
The mean incubation period was 7.1 and 8.6 days. The total developmental period
was 28.3 and 30.7 days, with a nymphal period of 21.2 and 22.1 days, and the
longevity of an adult was 30 and 32.2 days when fed on C. gnidiella and E.
cautella, respectively. The mean fecundity per female was 177 and 100 eggs,
the net reproductive rate was 38.9 and 30.4 days, the approximate generation
time was 45.6 and 47.8 days, gross reproduction rate was 127.2 and 97.9 females
per female for C. gnidiella and E. cautella, respectively.
Moreover, the intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) was 0.02 and
0.02, and the innate capacity for increase (rc) was 0.9 and 0.6,
respectively. The results shed light on the ecological role of G.
ochropterus in promoting pest control in mango orchards and provide
valuable insights for integrated pest management strategies
in agriculture, especially with the recent climate changes.
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Pages:121-128
How to cite this article:
Samira A Abd El Salam, Hanaa M Raghib, Ahmed Ramadan El Rokh "Predatory behavior and life history of the big-eyed bug<i> Geocoris ochropterus </i>(<i>Hemiptera: Geocoridae</i>) in Mango inflorescences: Insights from laboratory observations". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 10, Issue 10, 2025, Pages 121-128
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